The murder/suicide took the lives of Kathy Shonkwiler, 51, and Troy Stone, 46, who lived at 3086
Lewis Rd. When Shonkwiler didn’t show up for work, her son Josh Fout got worried and went to the
home.

Fout called 911 around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, telling a police dispatcher that he had gone to
the house around 9 that morning. He said he saw both of their cars in the driveway and banged on
the doors and windows, but nobody answered.

Fout returned to his mother’s house a few hours later and called for help.

“I’ve been beating on her doors and windows,” the 29-year-old told the dispatcher. “She works at
the same place I do and she didn’t call in or anything.”

Officers were sent out, and when they got there around 1 p.m., they found the couple — and
reportedly their dog — dead inside.

Police hadn’t been called to the house in the past two years, according to Columbus police.

But Shonkwiler’s sister, Casey Brann, told WBNS-TV (Channel 10) that Shonkwiler had left Stone
five times in 13 years because of abuse. She said she returned each time because Stone had terrible
back problems and needed help.

“She kept thinking, ‘What kind of person am I if I’m not there to take care of him?’ ” Brann
said of her sister.

Brann said Shonkwiler had recently told her that she’d had enough and was leaving for good this
time, possibly causing Stone to snap.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Hotline at
614-221-5445; the Teen Suicide Prevention Hotline at 614-294-3300; or the Lifeline national
organization for suicide prevention, 1-800-273-8255.